HARRIS COUNTY TO PAY INMATE TIPSTERS
Snitching could lead to up to $5,000 for Harris County Jail inmates as investigators encourage detainees to phone in tips to Crime Stoppers. The Houston Chronicle reports Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia planned to announce the program Tuesday. Garcia says inmates have crucial information that could help deputies solve or prevent crimes. Garcia says the money can be used by the inmate to post bond or pay an attorney. The jail will soon have monitors that flash Crime Stoppers contact information, in English and Spanish. Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos backs the program.

JUDGE STOPS BUSINESS FOR MAN ACCUSED IN MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT
A San Antonio businessman and TV pitchman accused of trying to have his estranged wife killed will not be allowed to run his optical and tattoo businesses. A judge on Monday refused to lift an order that bars Michael Yuchnitz from controlling his companies, My Econo $39.95 Optical and Platinum Tattoos. Yuchnitz in October was charged with solicitation of capital murder. He's denied trying to have someone kill his spouse. Tina Yuchnitz in November was given temporary control of the businesses. She filed for divorce after being advised by investigators that her husband allegedly tried to have her killed. The woman was not hurt.

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER PROMPTS SCHOOL LOCKDOWN
A report of a man carrying a gun led to the lockdown of a Corpus Christi school until it was confirmed that the person is an animal control officer. Administrators at Ray High School took no chances Monday afternoon after a student reported seeing an armed man in a campus parking lot. Police were contacted and it was determined that the man was on animal control duty and was carrying a tranquilizer gun. Principal Cissy Reynolds-Perez says the worker caught a stray dog. Nobody was hurt. The school was locked down for nearly two hours.

ANIMAL FAT CLEANUP OF HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL COMPLETE
The Coast Guard says crews have finished clearing the Houston Ship Channel of beef fat that leaked from a tank on shore. Petty Officer Richard Braham says the cleanup was completed Monday, six days after some of the 250,000 gallons of leaking fat reached the water. Brahm said Tuesday the ship channel was open and traffic was moving. The leak was detected Jan. 4, forcing the temporary closure of part of the channel. The Coast Guard said about 15,000 gallons reached the channel through a storm drain. The liquid fat became solid when coming in contact with the cold water. The Coast Guard says the tank is owned by Jacob Sterns and Sons and the company cooperated on the cleanup.